Quote from: TheQuin on March 24, 2018, 06:34:43 AM

I'd just be happy if there was an auto lock after x days with no posts system and the OP could reopen if they need to. I always want to check threads I've posted in for replies directed @ me and it is a real pain when dead threads are bumped for no reason.

The problem with this is: threads that are needed to be locked are the ones which receives regular posts, thus, those will not get locked.
Using that "auto-lock" feature will help necro-posting but not the spam problem.

Together with automatic or moderated "report spam" and...
Including the Author's Rank, Last Active Date and new Poster's Rank to the basis might lessen the harm on thread locking automation.

Examples:

The threads of a Newbie-Member account which last login date was a year ago needs to be "soft-locked" after X period of time, only Full members or above can post a reply triggering "unlock" to the thread. That way, necro-posting newbies cannot revive an old thread, only established members can.
A thread of an active Full Member was reported as "spam thread" (can be automated or moderated), the Author will receive a notification about a request to lock his thread. Since the Author is active, he can receive and respond to that notification, this can apply to active newbies and members as well.
A thread of an inactive Full Member was reported as "spam thread", the thread will be "soft-locked" but will not be automatically locked.

In regards to the notification, it could be a warning for a read-only or ban-able offence in extreme case scenarios.

Still, the best way is to get this moderated by responding to "lock this thread" reports, but that's much of a hassle for Moderators.